In a city that never stops sparkling, your house should be a sparkler too! Interior decorating your home in Dubai is about more than staying on trend; it’s more like blending luxury, culture, comfort, and personality features into one in a million space.
So are you convinced to give your place a makeover, waving goodbye to your old beige walls, and hello, bold and beautiful!
Even if you’ve got a dreamy Pinterest board or just realized your furniture looks like it time-travelled from 2005, then you can hire an interior designer who can make your space magazine-worthy.
But here’s the million-dirham question : how much do interior designers charge in Dubai? Don’t know! It’s alright! You must buckle up because we’re about to rip apart the price tag.
Residential Projects
Building a house is akin to writing your life story, but for a good book, you minus the embarrassing adolescence. It’s personal, quirky, and hopefully, a house that reveals something about you or what you’d prefer people to think about you.
There are ways interior designers charge you for their services. They can charge you per square foot. The quote amounts between AED 100 to AED 600+ per sq. ft., depending on the luxurious you wish to be. As it depends on the house, let me guide you about the house that is bigger than the lower price per square meter.
- AED 120 per SQ.M for a villa of 1000 SQ.M or bigger.
- AED 130 per SQ.M, if a home is between 750 and 1000 SQ.M
- AED 140 per SQ.M for projects between 500 and 750 SQ.M
They can also ask you to consider a flat fee. If your apartment or villa has a straightforward scope, designers can demand a flat amount, i.e., AED 20,000 to AED 150,000+, depending on size and scope.
If you are thinking about the expired designer cost. Then let me tell you, they ask for a percentage of the project cost. Some designers prefer charging 10% to 20% of the total project cost. So, if you’re splurging AED 1 million on interiors, expect AED 100K to 200K to go toward design fees.
Want Luxury designs with bespoke finishes and celebrity-level looks? That’ll push your prices upwards. But for a savvy, stylish setup that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Absolutely possible with the right designer.
Commercial Projects
But now, if you’re stepping into commercial interior design restaurant, office, salon, or retail spaces, then the risk isn’t the same. In such cases, the design is not merely aesthetic; it involves your work, branding, and customer experience too. So, you want your space to feel more like a storeroom than a showy display.
Commercial design fees vary greatly depending on the type of business and design objectives. It also depends on size and complexity.
- AED 110 per SQ.M for projects above 1000 SQ.M
- AED 120 per SQ.M for premises between 750 and 1000 SQ.M
- AED 140 per SQ.M if the area is between 500 and 750 SQ.M
- If your office, shop, salon, or another commercial property is smaller than 500 SQ.M, you’ll get a calculated cost other than these.
Add on some extra features for branding, custom signage, and mood lighting that will have your café on the Instagram hot list. Commercial work typically comes with a greater percentage (15%-25%) of the entire project cost for designers because it is more complicated, regulated, and has tight deadlines.
Consultation Services
You don’t always need a full design makeover. Sometimes, you just want a professional opinion, like whether that green velvet sofa is a stylish choice or not. That’s where design consultations come in: quick, helpful advice without the big commitment.
Interior designers in Dubai provide consultations which generally fall under:
AED 500 to AED 1000 per hour – for a meeting in person or remotely.
Some offer packages, like AED 2,500 for a half-day consultation or AED 5,000 for a site visit with concept suggestions.
It’s a cost-effective way to get expert guidance, especially if you’re doing a DIY project but don’t want to accidentally turn your living room into a design disaster zone.
Furnishings and Personalizations
So, you’ve got the layout and color scheme down, now comes the fu,n and sometimes it can be a pricey part: furnishings and personal touches.
Interior designers can assist with anything from finding the ideal mid-century modern chair to hiring local artisans for custom art.
Now let me tell you how actually the pricing typically goes:
Some designers charge a 10-30% markup on procured items for furnishing and decor. Others will want a fee, a typical AED 8,000 to AED 50,000, depending on how actively involved they are.
And if you wanna go for some custom work, they’ll be more expensive, but will make your house completely yours.
Turnkey Projects
If you’re someone who’d spend an afternoon scrolling through Netflix before you’d dedicate an hour deciding on tiles, a turnkey project is your ultimate fantasy. It’s the epitome of “here’s the key, make it fabulous” convenience.
In Dubai, turnkey interior design solutions offer the whole nine yards, which includes concept, design, procurement, project management, installation, and styling. You can transform your apartment to wow-home without getting off the sofa.
I know you’re worried about the price. Of course, it’s more since you’re paying someone else to do the whole shebang: Such as Small turnkey packages (1BR apartments) range from AED 10,000 – AED 15,000.
On the other hand Mid-range villa projects range from AED 30,000 – AED 80,000 and Luxury villa turnkey? No problem, easily over AED 100,000+. But hey, if you’ve got the cash, it’s like having your very own HGTV show.
Factors Affects The Cost Of the Interior Designing in Dubai
Now that the number game is over, let’s talk about the juicy details that really determine your final bill. It’s not just about the space size; it’s also about your taste (and, let’s be honest, your taste can get expensive really fast).
The bright spot? You don’t need to pay a designer a million-dirham allowance. Be honest in the way you communicate, realistic in what you require, and open about how much you’ll pay, and you can create a space that’s chic, efficient, and all about you without driving yourself crazy or emptying your bank account.
Project Size
Size matters at least in interior design. A studio flat will not be the same price as an Emirates Hills palace villa. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that a small space will always be cheaper.
Minuscule flats stuffed with design features can be more expensive per square meter than massive, empty spaces.
Scope of Work
Are you renovating the whole facility? Simply furnishing a living room? Or constructing a café from the ground up with themed seating and a photo booth?
The more detailed and comprehensive the scope, the more expensive. Redecorating can cost you a few thousand dirhams, while full-service renovations can be six figures.
Materials & Finishes
This is where the money and fun kick in. Italian marble, brass hardware, hand-knotted rugs, bespoke lighting and many more like this.
It adds up so quickly that you’ll be left in awe. But designers can make high and low work by mixing luxe items with more affordable items. Like that Moooi light fixture next to that Zara Home candle. This is all about balance.
Designer Reputation
As with fashion, the name is all. An experienced designer with a list of A-list homes and high-end developments will be more expensive than a newcomer looking to establish their reputation.
So you must be very careful while deciding between Gucci and a genius high-street copycat; both can look chic, but the cost varies.
Complexity & Bespoke Elements
If you’re asking your designer to recreate Versailles in your Dubai Marina apartment, don’t be shocked when the quote includes a few extra zeros.
If you try custom carpentry, intricate ceiling designs, smart home integrations, or rare material imports, these all can raise the price too quickly.
Also, the more unique your taste, the more hands-on time and creative energy it requires.
Conclusion
Interior design in Dubai is just a medley, just like the city itself, from clean, minimalist glamour to uber-glam, there’s a taste and budget to match every aesthetic and budget.
If you look into or want to add some polish to your studio or indulge in a palace-like villa, there’s a designer and payment model for you.
So, what are interior designers’ charges in Dubai? Short answer: varies. Longer answer: it’s all here, from the project type and reputation of the designer to scope and materials.
Now go for it, begin designing that fantasy room. And don’t forget, even the most luxury interiors begin as a few vaguely sketched-out ideas and possibly a designer who graciously forgoes the zebra print papering.
Also Read: Interior Design Myths in Dubai: What’s True and What’s Not
